Bali – finally!! I have been waiting for this since October…. it was my goal after chemo! I never knew, if I would be fit enough to go, if I would actually go, but it kept me going…. I have been to many countries working on the ships and being a happy traveller, but Bali is somewhere I have never been.

„Just one person?“ The driver is sweet, but makes me cry right away! I have travelled my times by myself….Maybe I am overly tired, but I cannot stop crying and talking about my cancer I cry even more…. poor chap… it is a bit too much for him, but I cannot help it and half way to Canggu I am ok again 😉

The place is even better than on AirBnB and I have two beers on the terrace outside my little hut and love it, while I catch up with family & friends. There is a little river purling next to me and I am embedded in a little chirring jungle – what a peaceful place.

I have a restless sleep, wake up early and I am not happy – what is wrong with me?!? After breakfast and mediation on my little patio, I go to the beach…. it looked a bit closer on the map, but I make it and watch the surfers…. maybe I can try it? Have not done it since 2004 in Costa Rica! After 2pm the sea shall be calmer, as it’s low tide and until then I relax a bit in the Old Man’s bar on the sofas and go online to speak with the kids a few times (poor Leo has a fever & vomited 😢), chat with Nick and read…. yep – I can read again …. whooohoooo – and recharge my batteries!

I am happy, despite the fact that I should stay out of the sun post chemo and because I am super pale, which limits the possibilities a bit…. actually a lot, but I try to make the best out of it and give myself credit for having already avoided the lunchtime sun … and the surf guys promise to give me extra sun blog 😎 It is 2pm it gets a bit cloudy – thank heaven for that – and off I go! Two tries, I don’t get beyond kneeling and have no energy left 😂…. but at least I tried! The clouds stay and I am thankful, as I can stay on the beach now, get a massage, read, watch the sunset with a beer and a spicy corn on the cob and only have to run, when it starts raining….what a perfect day!

I met this Australian guy two nights ago, who lives in Singapore and has been many times to Bali …. he suddenly had this glow in his eyes talking about Ubud, the rice fields and the calm and magic this place holds – I am certain that this was the best choice to go there next. Healing, cleansing, recovering – bring it on 😉 I will have the full enchilada, but first I have one more night in Canguu at Suparna’s place, before I meet Silke tomorrow and we make our way to Ubud🙏

Healthy tan? No… orange sun block 😂…. last time I looked like that it was Karneval 🎉

Hera arrived late last night, but we went for a beer at the waterfront, chatted forever and saw the New Years fireworks!

The view from the 19th floor is amazing, I meditate with the rising sun in my face and spend the morning at the pool chatting away – pure bliss! The funny thing with no hair is though that I still stike it …. or rather nothing….out of my face after diving …. every time 😉

Being at the pool, I wear no make-up and look ill, but am so happy to have waterproof eyebrows…. it makes such a difference!

After a quick lunch, I need to dash to the airport….. next stop Bali 🙏

Smooth travels for the handicapped 😉 I get an electric car to the gate – the last time I had the pleasure was in Dubai, when we were so late for our flight (I mixed up the time) that they drove us with one of these cars in order to have a chance at all to make it with two kids and a buggy – and since Leo wanted the ride one the minute he first saw one, it kind of taught him the wrong lesson, but he probably forgot by now 😉

I treat myself to a little massage prior to boarding and the gate is empty when I get back, but all is good! As I go past the upper classes, I am a bit jaleous, as I could do with a proper bed, but being super tired, I will probably dose off 😴 a cheeky wee wine helps – just half a glass!

I pre-ordered an Indian vegetarian – thanks Suse for the tip – and it is one of the best airline meals I ever had…. and I had quite few! I will try to eat no sweets from now on…but they serve Häagen-Dazs icecream 😜 …. I ate a lot of sugar lately and now with no chemo, this does not feel right. I have the urge for sour wine gum, but really this is not about sugar and Bali will help me to calm down and rest and somehow eliminate the use of sugar as a power device 😉

Being escorted in Singapore is fabulous, but why do I have to sit in a wheelchair?!? Well, whatever – smooth ride to the taxi and off I go to the Mandarin Oriental, where Hera is staying …. problem, she will only arrive in five hours. No problem for me – I find the restrooms and get scared. This face looking back from the mirrow is an old man and I really want my eyelashes back now, but it is not only that I want my power back and my eyebrows and I did shave my head again before my flight and it is finally time for even hair growth and I want my body back (though the Physio lady said I was less fat now 😉) and my face is still blown up ….. ok, that does not help! I clean myself up, put a dress on, paint what is left of my toe nails and hit the road.

The Chinese New Year Festival is just on the opposite side of the road along the waterfront and I am fit enough for a scroll while the sun is setting and it is amazingly beautiful! I sit for ages at the waterfront, breath the warm air – it reminds me of my time at sea – and I realize that I have not been to Singapore forever! I have dinner at a rooftop bar and a virgin mojito, as it starts to rain again, but there is music and I am happy that I can be here! Happy Chinese New Year!

Today, it is packing day 🤦‍♀️ …. I have the whole day though! I am an expert in procrastination though…. I go to physio, do a moderate training with the running Mamas, have coffee with Mona, chat with Nick and do whatever I can do to distract myself from packing 😉

I do close my backpack one minute before I have to pick up Leo from Kindergarten and spend a wonderful last afternoon with my kids. They are adorable and Markus made a little book with them containing pictures and drawings and I am crying my eyes out! I absorb every minute and am now sitting on the train to Frankfurt….. next stop Singapore!